Body Contouring Apparatus

Abstract

The current method and apparatus provide a body contouring apparatus employed in cosmetic body contouring treatments such as, but not limited to, fat reduction, body circumference reduction, cellulite reduction, skin tightening and skin rejuvenation at a clinical or dedicated professional setting, in the privacy of the subject's own home or at a comfortable and relaxing fitness room, sports activity center or spa-like environment.

1 . A body contouring apparatus comprising:
 at least one body accommodating surface operative to accommodate at least part of a subject's body;   a controller;   a source of RF energy; and   at least one energy delivery modular component removably connected to said body accommodating surface and having at least two RF delivery electrodes, operative to communicate with said controller and said source of RF energy and generate a sweeping tissue heating wave effect creating a progression of a heated zone across a segment of tissue to be treated.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus also comprising:
 at least one sensor selected from a group consisting of a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, an impedance sensor;   a timer; and   wherein said controller operative to communicate with said sensor and timer, store in a database data received therefrom and control and monitor treatment parameters related to said energy delivery modular component in accordance with a predetermined treatment protocol.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said body accommodating surface and energy delivery modular component is stationary. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said effect is at least one of linear and rotational sweeping tissue heating wave effect. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said energy delivery modular component also includes at least one light emitting element operative to emit light in at least one of visible and Infra Red range to heat a segment of tissue to be treated. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said treatment parameters are at least one parameter selected from a group consisting of temperature, pressure and RF voltage and frequency. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said body accommodating surface and/or said energy delivery modular component are operative to apply mechanical energy to said part of said subject's body in contact therewith and wherein said controller is also operative to monitor and control said applied mechanical energy. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said body accommodating surface is associated with at least one of a body massaging unit, a portable vibration applying cushion, a body support accessory, sports clothing, a waist-trimming massage belt and a treadmill. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said modular component is disposable. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said modular component also includes at least one carrier having on one surface a pattern of a plurality of spaced apart applying elements operative to apply to the body at least one type of energy selected from a group consisting of RF energy, light energy and mechanical energy. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said RF energy applied to the body by said RF delivery electrode is in the range of 1 W-40 W in accordance with the type of applied treatment and part of body to be treated. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus controller also includes at least one of an automatic and manual input functionality that enables entering of information relating to user information, preferences and settings and data received from previous treatment sessions. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said automatic input functionality enables automatic entering of information received from at least one of a sensor and timer. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said controller is also operative to carry out at least one of the following functionalities:
 adjust cosmetic treatment parameters in accordance with said predetermined treatment protocol;   adjust cosmetic treatment parameters in relation to information input from at least one of said sensor and timer;   cease and resume treatment application in accordance with at least one of predetermined treatment parameters and duration of treatment;   alert a user regarding a deviation from said treatment parameters in accordance with predetermined treatment protocol; and   provide a user with a disposable modular component replacement time alert.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said controller is also operative to:
 limit duration of treatment to avoid overheating of tissue;   limit use time of said energy delivery modular component;   provide a disposable modular component replacement time alert, following a predetermined number of uses or maximal allowable duration of use; and   provide said controller with usage data such as number of uses, duration of use and dates of use.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said controller is also operative to communicate with the internet, receive information therefrom and adjust cosmetic treatment parameters in accordance with said received information. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said source of RF energy is at least one of a disposable source of energy and a rechargeable source of energy. 
     
     
         18 . A disposable energy delivery modular component for a body contouring apparatus, said component comprising:
 at least one body accommodating contact surface operative to accommodate at least part of a subject's body;   at least two RF energy delivery electrodes mounted on said contact surface, operative to apply RF energy to said at least part of said subject's body and generate a sweeping tissue heating wave effect creating a progression of a heated zone across a segment of tissue to be treated;   at least one mechanical energy delivery element operative to transfer mechanical energy to said at least part of said subject's body; and   at least one sensor.   
     
     
         19 . A method of a cosmetic treatment, said method comprising:
 coupling to a segment of body a disposable energy delivery component;   employing said energy delivery component to apply at least one type of energy and generate a sweeping tissue heating wave effect creating a progression of a heated zone across a segment of tissue to be treated;   sensing at least one of the effects caused by at least one of the energies and providing feedback; and   modifying at least one type of said energies applied to a segment of the body and treatment parameters in accordance with said feedback and a predetermined treatment protocol.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein said effect is at least one of linear and rotational sweeping tissue heating wave effect. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein said types of energy are selected from a group consisting of RF energy, light energy and mechanical energy. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein said RF energy applied to the body is in the range of 1 W-40 W in accordance with the type of applied treatment and part of body to be treated. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein said feedback is at least one type of feedback selected from a group consisting of temperature, pressure, and impedance. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein said treatment parameters are at least one parameter selected from a group consisting of temperature, pressure and RF voltage and frequency. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein also applying vibration energy. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein also:
 ceasing and resuming treatment application in accordance with at least one of predetermined treatment parameters and duration of treatment;   alerting a user regarding a deviation from said treatment parameters in accordance with predetermined treatment protocol;   providing a user with a disposable modular component replacement time based on a predetermined number of uses or maximal allowable duration of use;   limiting duration of treatment to avoid overheating of tissue;   limiting use time of a disposable energy delivery modular component; and   collecting and storing usage data such as number of uses, duration of use and dates of use.